He rapped on the connecting door and waited for an answer. When none came, he opened the door a crack and called out her name. There was still no response, so he pushed the door open a little wider and poked his head in.

“Ellie?” He glanced at her bed and was surprised to see it neatly made. The servants hadn't come to clean yet that morning. He could be certain of this because he had instructed them to leave fresh flowers on his wife's vanity table every morning, and yesterday's violets were still in evidence.

He shook his head, realizing that his wife had made her own bed. He supposed he shouldn't have been surprised. She was quite a capable woman.

Ovens excepted, of course.

Charles wandered downstairs to the breakfast room, but instead of his wife, he found only Helen, Claire, and Judith.

“Charles!” Claire cried out upon seeing him enter through the doorway. She jumped to her feet.

“And how is my favorite fourteen-year-old cousin this bright morning?” he said as he took her hand and gallantly kissed it. Young girls loved that sort of romantic nonsense, and he doted on Claire enough to remember to treat her to such grand gestures.

“I am very well, thank you,” Claire replied. “Won't you join us for breakfast?”

“I think I will,” Charles murmured as he took a seat.

“We are not,” Claire added, “having toast.”

This earned her a reproving look from Helen, but Charles couldn't help but chuckle as he speared a slice of ham.

“You may kiss my hand, too,” Judith said.

“A pox on me for having forgotten,” Charles said, rising to his feet. He took Judith's hand and raised it to his lips. “My dear Princess Judith, a thousand apologies.”

Judith giggled as Charles sat back down. “Where is my wife, I wonder?” he said.

“I have not seen her,” Claire put in.

Helen cleared her throat. “Eleanor and I are both early risers, and I saw her here at breakfast before Claire and Judith came down.”

“Was she eating toast?” her older daughter asked.

Charles coughed to cover a laugh. Really, it wouldn't do to laugh at one's wife in front of one's relations. Even if one was tremendously displeased with said wife.

“I believe she had a biscuit,” Helen said sharply. “And I will ask you not to bring up the matter again, Claire. Your new cousin is very sensitive about the mishap.”

“She is my cousin-in-law. And it wasn't a mishap. It was a fire.”

“It was yesterday,” Charles interjected, “and I have completely forgotten it.”

Claire frowned, and Helen continued with, “I believe Ellie said she was planning to inspect the orangery. She mentioned that she is an avid gardener.”

“Is the orangery fireproof?” Claire asked.

Charles leveled a stern stare in her direction. “Claire, that is enough.”

Claire frowned again but kept quiet.

Then, as the three of them regarded each other in silence, a sharp cry pierced the air.